Mark Sanford's quest for political redemption now rests with voters along South Carolina's coast.

The former Republican governor, whose promising political career was sidelined by scandal four years ago, faces Elizabeth Colbert (KOHL'-buhrt) Busch in a special election today in the state's 1st Congressional District.

Sanford, once mentioned as a possible GOP presidential contender, disappeared in 2009 for five days only to return to admit he had been in Argentina visiting his mistress - a woman to whom he's now engaged.

Colbert Busch is the sister of political satirist Stephen Colbert, who has helped her campaign by attending fundraisers. Green Party candidate Eugene Platt is also on the ballot.

The seat was held by Tim Scott before he was appointed last year to the U.S. Senate.